Baltimore Orioles announcer Kevin Brown is ‘SUSPENDED for simply pointing out the team’s poor road record against Tampa Bay’

Of all the things for which a sports announcer can be suspended, simply pointing out his team’s poor record in a particular building is one of the strangest reasons.

MASN’s play-by-play voice of the Baltimore Orioles, Kevin Brown, has been away from his television duties since July 23 of this year. After a short period on the radio, it has been completely off the air since July 26.

According to multiple reports – first broken through Terrible announcement – Brown has been suspended for comments he made during a road series against the Tampa Bay Rays, citing the team’s bad streak while visiting Tropicana Field.

In addition to Brown’s words pointing to the Orioles’ difficult record, an on-air graphic highlighted that Baltimore had gone 0-15-1 in their last 16 series against the Rays. The O’s had not won a series in Tampa since June 2017.

Brown commented, “The Orioles have won more games against them this season than the last two combined.” According to reports, it was that comment in particular that led to his suspension.

Brown’s words were broadcast alongside an image showing the Orioles’ poor results at the Trop

MailSport has reached out to both the Baltimore Orioles and MASN for comment.

In an update, a senior Orioles official told Awful Announcing, “We do not comment on personnel matters” and that they “look forward to hearing Kevin’s voice soon,” while disputing reports that a suspension has taken place.

Members of sports media took to Twitter to express outrage at the Orioles’ decision and called for Brown’s reinstatement.

NFL Network host Rich Eisen asked, “What exactly was he suspended for?”

“Kevin Brown is one of the most talented, thoughtful, curious, positive people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, working with, and calling a friend,” said FOX Sports and Chicago White Sox play-by-play man Jason Benetti. “He really is one of the best play-by-play announcers in the country. If the Orioles don’t want him, another team will be delighted.”

Former SportsCenter host and current political podcaster Keith Olbermann said, “This is one of the best young announcers (even if you occasionally think ‘is that Joe Buck?’). I heard NOTHING in that that was a poor reflection of the team.

This @kevinbrown suspension? This makes the @Orioles look like idiots. They searched their own renaissance.”

“What’s he supposed to do, say the Orioles are back-to-back-to-back World Series champions?” The Ringer’s Rodger Sherman wondered.

Members of the sports media were outraged and confused by the decision

‘Wow. This is an embarrassing suspension by the Orioles,” said ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi. “Kevin Brown just stated a fact and substantiated how good this team has been without being critical. Suspending him for this attracts more attention. What a bad impression during a fantastic season.’

ESPN’s Kevin Connors wrote, ‘Kevin Brown is one of the best, most prepared and most versatile broadcasters in the industry. He did NOTHING wrong here. Zero.

“The @Orioles have been one of the best stories in the sport all year, but this is a horrible look that needs to be fixed immediately. @masnOrioles.’

Brent Axe, a writer in the Syracuse area who lost his job at a radio station this year because he was deemed too critical of Syracuse University sports teams, said, ‘What bulls**t is this @Orioles @masnOrioles? You are suspending the best in the business for pointing out FACTS??

“We can’t let this normalize. (Orioles onwer) John Angelos and (MLB commissioner) Rob Manfred, fix this NOW. Let’s see play-by-play announcers in @MLB showing support for Kevin.”